Feedback on advice from Regional Advisory Council
Edmonton... Recommendations from an advisory council for northeast Alberta, including the oil sands, are presented to the public for input now and through to early October.
The Lower Athabasca Regional Advisory Council presented its advice as a vision document on which government will seek public comment before developing a draft regional plan for the area.
“The vision document provides advice on economic, environmental and community needs in Lower Athabasca,” said Mel Knight, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development, responsible for implementing the Land-use Framework. “With Albertans’ input on the vision, government can develop a regional plan that creates the balance Albertans are looking for. It is essential to set the right direction for conservation and development for Albertans, for the environment, and for a world that is watching how Alberta develops its natural resources.”
Advice to the Government of Alberta Regarding a Vision for the Lower Athabasca Region provides recommendations on economic growth, land conservation, air and water thresholds, and human development needs in the region; as guided by a terms of reference. Recognizing the oil sands are a primary industry for this region, the terms of reference directed the council to consider options for addressing industry growth while also looking to increase conservation areas, and develop options for enhanced recreation and tourism.
The vision is based on 18 months of discussion and more than 100 stakeholder submissions. It also reflects the broad expertise of the Regional Advisory Council, whose 17 members included representatives from agriculture, municipalities, environmental interests, energy, forestry, First Nations and Métis.
The vision document and an on-line feedback workbook are available now at landuse.alberta.ca. The online survey closes on October 8, 2010. Public consultation is planned for September, to be held in Lower Athabasca and nearby communities of neighbouring regions, plus Edmonton and Calgary.
Government will consider the vision document and public feedback to develop a draft regional plan for further public review. Under Alberta’s Land-use Framework, government will develop a regional plan for each of seven regions in the province, to better balance economic, environmental and community objectives. The framework identified a regional plan for the Lower Athabasca area, which includes the majority of current oil sands developments, as a priority.
The Government of Alberta has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward includes a commitment to ensuring that Alberta is competitive and continues to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity. Regional plans under the Land-use Framework will support responsible development while meeting Albertans’ needs for conservation and a high quality of life.
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Backgrounders: Summary of advice to government, Consultation schedule, Lower Athabasca Regional Advisory Council
The vision document, workbook and map are online at www.landuse.alberta.ca
Media inquiries may be directed to:
|
Neal Watson |
Deleen Schoff |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Backgrounder
August 26, 2010
Summary of advice to government from the Lower Athabasca Regional Advisory Council
The advisory council developed Advice to the Government of Alberta Regarding a Vision for the Lower Athabasca Region over 18 months of:
- Reviewing policy, publications and research
- Meeting with policy and regional experts, stakeholders, Aboriginal communities
- Assessing more than 100 stakeholder submissions
Government provided terms of reference that asked for advice in four key areas:
- Economic growth and development
- Land conservation objectives
- Regional air and water thresholds
- Human development considerations
| Terms of Reference |
Highlights Regional Advisory Council Advice |
| Economic growth and development | |
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| Land conservation objectives | |
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| Terms of Reference |
Highlights Regional Advisory Council Advice |
| Regional air and water thresholds | |
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| Human development considerations | |
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The Lower Athabasca Regional Advisory Council’s Advice to the Government of Alberta Regarding a Vision for the Lower Athabasca Region is available online at www.landuse.alberta.ca
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Media inquiries may be directed to:
|
Neal Watson |
Deleen Schoff |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
August 26, 2010
Consultation schedule on Advice to the Government of Alberta Regarding a Vision for the Lower Athabasca Region
Bonnyville
Wednesday, September 8
Centennial Centre, VIP Suite
4313-50 Avenue
Cold Lake
Thursday, September 9
Energy Centre, Lounge
7825-51 Street
Fort Smith
Monday, September 13
Pelican Rapids Inn, Blue Room
152 McDougall Road
Fort Chipewyan
Tuesday, September 14
Mamawi Community Hall
128 Cardinal Drive
Fort McMurray
Wednesday, September 15
Sawridge Hotel and Conference Centre
530 MacKenzie Boulevard
Lac La Biche
Thursday, September 16
Portage College, Main Campus
9531-94 Avenue
Elk Point
Monday, September 20
Seniors Recreation Centre
5010-48 Street
St. Paul
Tuesday, September 21
Recreation Centre, Multi-purpose Room
4802-53 Street
Fort McMurray
Thursday, September 23
Suncor Community Centre
Miskanaw Ballroom South
151 MacDonald Drive
Athabasca
Monday, September 27
Regional Multiplex, Upper Lounge
2 University Drive
Edmonton
Tuesday, September 28
Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre
11834 Kingsway Avenue
Calgary
Wednesday, September 29
Glenmore Inn
2720 Glenmore Trail SE
Note: All sessions run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The vision advice document and workbook are online at www.landuse.alberta.ca/
Media inquiries may be directed to:
|
Neal Watson |
Deleen Schoff |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
August 26, 2010
Lower Athabasca Regional Advisory Council
The Lower Athabasca Regional Advisory Council was established on December 19, 2008, with members from the Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 First Nations named on June 1, 2009. The Regional Advisory Council has fulfilled its mandate
Statement of Purpose (from Team Charter)
The Regional Advisory Council (RAC), established under the Land-use Framework, will provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Government of Alberta on the development of the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP), operating within the draft terms of reference approved by the Government of Alberta.
Membership
Chair: Heather Kennedy, former Assistant Deputy Minister, Oil Sands Secretariat
Vice-Chair: Hildy Hanson, Coordinator, Workforce Training Keyano College, Fort McMurray
Members
Melissa Blake, Mayor, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Fort McMurray
Eric Butterworth, Manager, Boreal and Territorial Operations, Western Boreal Forest Program, Ducks Unlimited Canada
Archie Collins, Chairman, Elizabeth Métis Settlement, Cold Lake
R. Lanny Coulson, Alberta/NWT Region Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Howard Ewashko, President, Northlands Forest Products Ltd., Fort McMurray
Peter Koning, Senior Environmental and Regulatory Coordinator - Oil Sands, ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp. Cumulative Environmental Management Association, Calgary
Clarence Makowecki, Agriculture/Industry Independent Consultant, St. Paul
Douglas Parrish, General Manager of Public Services, City of Cold Lake
Rick Pawluk, Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Imperial Oil Resources Ltd., Calgary
Don Pope, Integration Land Management Specialist, Alberta Pacific Forest Industries, Boyle
Cecilia Quist, Deputy Mayor, Lac La Biche County, Lac La Biche
Glen Semenchuk, Executive Director, Cumulative Environmental Management Association, Fort McMurray
Marc G. Stevenson, Aboriginal Policy and Research Consultant, Edmonton, holding the seat for Treaty 6
Dave Theriault, COO and Vice President of Operations, Laricina Energy Ltd., Calgary
Roy Vermillion, CEO, Athabasca Tribal Council, Fort McMurray, holding the seat for Treaty 8
Media inquiries may be directed to:
|
Neal Watson |
Deleen Schoff |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.